Aesop
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Greece

The Wolf and The Horse

A wolf tries to deceive a horse with a feast of oats but fails, learning that honesty is better to build friendships.
Deception
Honesty
Friendship
Aesop's Fables - The Wolf and The Horse
Audio available for B1 version

One sunny day, a wolf found himself on a farm, where he stumbled upon a field of oats. Being a meat-lover, he wasn't interested and continued on his way. As he strolled along, he bumped into a horse that was just leaving the field.

Eager to impress, the wolf beckoned the horse back to the field. "There's a feast of wonderful oats," he said, "I've left them all untouched, just for you. The sound of your munching is pure delight to my ears."

The horse chuckled. "That's kind of you," he replied, "But if wolves could eat oats, I bet you wouldn't have left the feast just for the melody of my munching."

The wolf blushed, realizing his plan hadn't worked as well as he'd hoped. He considered that honesty might be a wiser path to friendships, rather than relying on tricks and tall tales.

On a bright, sunny day, a wolf with a jazzy bounce in his step wandered onto a farm. He came across a field of oats and scratched his head. "Hmm, oats? Not quite my style. Now, where's a juicy steak when you need one?" And with that, he moved on.

Soon, he met a horse, who was humming a tune and tapping his hooves in rhythm. "Hey there," began the wolf with a cheeky grin, "Ever thought about an oat-fiesta? You could munch while I groove to the beat."

The horse laughed, "So, trying to woo me with oats, huh? Nice try! But if wolves had breakfast menus, I don’t think oats would make the list."

The wolf, looking a tad embarrassed, said, "Caught me! Maybe I should just stick to being real, huh?"

The horse nodded, "That's the spirit! Just be yourself." The two shared a giggle, trotting side by side, ready for their next playful escapade.

Where sunshine gleams and rivers flow,
A wolf wandered, with steps slow.
Upon a farm with oats so grand,
He thought, "This isn't what I had planned."

Meat was his love, so he didn’t delay,
Walking right past, he went on his way.
Soon he met a horse, so sleek and so fine,
Leaving the field, crossing the line.

"Wonderful horse," said the wolf with a smile,
"See those oats? Why not stay for a while?
I've saved them for you, as a special treat,
The sound when you munch, is ever so sweet."

The horse gave a laugh, a twinkle in his eye,
"If wolves loved oats, would they pass them by?
You might love my munch, but let's be true,
If oats were your treat, they wouldn't be for me, but for you."

The wolf turned a shade, a little bit red,
Thinking of all the false tales he'd spread.
He learned that day, as the sun set in the west,
Honesty and truth, truly are the best.

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Understanding Questions

Reflection Questions

  1. Why do you think the wolf wanted the horse to go back to the field of oats?
  2. How did the horse understand that the wolf was not being honest with him?
  3. Can you recall a time when someone tried to trick you and you figured it out, just like the horse?
  4. What does this fable teach us about honesty and the importance of being truthful?
  5. How can we apply the lesson from this story in our daily lives to ensure we're always honest with each other?

Fable Quotes

Deception may bait the trap, but truth is the key to genuine bonds.
Honesty is the seed from which trust and friendship grow.
Honesty and trust are the foundation of true friendship, while deception only leads to broken bonds.
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